Model year guide

2002 BMW 525I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 BMW 525I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 59 on record.

2002 BMW 525I — representative photo
Representative photo

2002 BMW 525I at a glance

Safety recalls4
Combined20–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 BMW 525I recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V015000 · 14/01/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag infl…

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began Ma…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V318000 · 28/05/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if …

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes re…

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #02V057000 · 19/02/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER MOUNTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Tires:sidewall NHTSA Campaign #01V352000 · 26/11/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DURING THE TIRE MOUNTING PROCESS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH STANDARD (NON-SPORT) SUSPENSION AND EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITOURINGCONTACT CH95 ECOPLUS TIRES, SIZE 225/65R16 95H, HAVING DOT CODES 4001, 4101, OR 4201, THE OUTER SIDEWALL SURFACE OF THE TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT BY A SHARP EDGE. OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME COULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION OF INFLATIO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES FOR A POSSIBLE CUT IN THE SIDEWALL, AND IF A CUT IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REA…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 BMW 525I MPG & running costs

Combined20–21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,000
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S5) or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 BMW 525I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,000
Fuel only$20,000
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
188.2 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
56.7 in
Wheelbase
111.4 in
Curb weight
3,450 lb
Front track
59.4 in
Rear track
60.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2002 BMW 525I. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

About the BMW 525I

The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2002 BMW 525I vehicles on record

Other BMW 525I model years

2002 BMW 525I — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 BMW 525I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 BMW 525I. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 525I get?

The 2002 BMW 525I has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.